Policy Analysis | August 2018

Apprenticeships in the South

Roger Moore, Policy Analyst

Due to a lack of training and education among prospective employees, many businesses often have difficulty finding enough skilled workers to remain competitive in the global economy. This is particularly the case for positions that require moderate to high levels of technical knowledge, which are critical for sustained success in today’s job market.

Successful apprenticeship programs, which have proven valuable for both businesses and students, can help state and local leaders address the skills gap that exists in many industries. For businesses, apprenticeships can nurture student interest in careers related to their industry, potentially increasing the number of applicants in the future and improving employee retention and productivity. They also facilitate robust partnerships with schools, thereby ensuring that education standards include the skills and training necessary to succeed in growing industries. For students, apprenticeships offer the opportunity to apply content learned in the classroom to the workplace, allowing them to explore career options by gaining critical work experience. Apprentices also can interact with mentors who can assist them later when they are seeking career opportunities.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were more than 530,000 active apprentices in 2017 across a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, healthcare, retail and education, among many others.* Since 2014, the number of active apprentices nationally has grown by 30 percent, while the number of apprenticeship programs has increased by nearly 17 percent. During that time, more than 210,000 individuals have completed an apprenticeship program, increasing from 44,417 in 2014 to 64,021 in 2017.

In the SLC region, the number of active apprentices has significantly increased in recent years. Five of the 15 states in the South, including South Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida and North Carolina, were among the top 10 nationally in active apprentice growth rates between 2014-2017. Meanwhile, West Virginia, Texas, Georgia and Alabama ranked in the top 20 nationally, followed by Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, all of which experienced growth greater than 30 percent.

Since 2014, 10 of the 15 Southern states also have experienced growth in the number of apprenticeship programs, led by South Carolina, with an increase of 108 percent, the highest in the nation. Kentucky was second nationally with growth close to 73 percent, followed by Arkansas and Alabama, both among the top 10 nationally, with growth in apprenticeship programs increasing by approximately 29 percent and 24 percent, respectively. North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi, likewise, experienced growth in the number of apprenticeship programs between 2014-2017.

* National figures include all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as the U.S. Military Apprenticeship Program, which allows active duty service members to complete civilian apprenticeship requirements.

The Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) of The Council of State Governments was established in 1947 and comprises presiding officers and key legislators from 15 Southern states. The SLC is a non-partisan organization located in Atlanta, Georgia.